Hannah Reed will continue to share her passion of Latin dancing, treating the community to a repertoire of new skills, thanks to the support of a Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) Quick Response Grant.
For almost five years, Hannah has been swinging her hips in the Bundaberg Region while encouraging the community to follow along through Bundaberg Latin Fusion.
In October, Hannah took the opportunity to travel to the Sunshine Coast to learn new Latin dance skills thanks to help from RADF.
Hannah said as there was currently no one teaching authentic Latin dancing in Bundaberg she applied for the funding to attend masterclasses and intensive tutorials on the Sunshine Coast, where she discovered the profound connections to traditional language and the history of several dance forms.
“I networked with the professionals there to initiate conversations about having them come to Bundaberg and share more,” Hannah said.
“I have been able to share and apply a large majority of what I have learnt thus far.
“With the goal of furthering the outreach and level of the Latin dance community in Bundaberg.”
Hannah said during the past year she had an overwhelming response from the local community.
“During 2022 I had over 700 participants join my free dance classes,” she said.
“I was able to dance with the band after training on the Sunshine Coast and teach people to dance confidently with them.”
Bundaberg Latin Fusion is more than just Latin dancing, including Cuban Salsa/Rueda, Bachata, Carnival Fitness, and even drumming and a Samba band for some authentic sounds.
Latin dance thrives in Bundaberg
Hannah believes the pastime is continuing to thrive in the Bundaberg Region.
“Latin dancing, and drumming, is evolving and growing here in Bundaberg,” she said.
“As our community grows, I realised I needed to take the next step to learn more authentic dances to share with everyone.
“I learnt that I have the ability to achieve more than I currently am able to deliver and with support I believe I can do it.
“I understand now that I need to continue to cultivate the Latin dance and music community in Bundaberg and that there is a definite want and need for it here.
“The support I receive from students, teachers and enthusiasts who understand what I am trying to create is motivation in itself to develop a welcoming dance culture in Bundaberg.”
She is often asked for additional classes and credits the Quick Response Grant to be able to start providing more to the community, with formal classes now underway.
“I get asked on a regular basis for other classes, which I am now going to start providing in a more professional manner and (I) only have the confidence to do so due to the support of Bundaberg Regional Council,” Hannah said.
“I will continue to provide a free service for the community because I believe that it is impertinent that family-friendly music and dance opportunities are available to create networks of support and prosperity, cohesion and inclusion in communities.”
The Regional Arts Development Fund is a partnership between the Queensland Government and Bundaberg Regional Council to support local arts and culture in regional Queensland.
For more information about the Regional Arts Development Fund, click here.
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